Can you Caulk Between Baseboard and Floorboards

You are almost finished with your house construction or remodeling and thinking of attaching the baseboards to the wall. And then you notice a gap between the baseboard and the floorboard.

And the question arises, can you caulk between baseboard and floorboards to fill the gap?

You surely can. Caulk is a watertight sealant that is used to fill up gaps around doors, windows, joints. Caulking the gap between the baseboard and floor is a really good solution. You can use it on hard and non-porous surfaces like hardwood, laminate, stone, and others.

If the gap is not too large and the baseboard and floor materials are right, it will make your life easier. Rightly done caulking not only gives a better finish but also delivers more aesthetically pleasing.

Can you caulk between baseboard and floorboards?

If the gap is one-fourth of an inch or smaller and your floor is made of non-porous, hard material then caulking is a perfect way to seal the gap between baseboard and floorboard. Why?

The easiest way

Caulking to seal a gap between the baseboard and floorboard is the easiest way to achieve the goal. Any other technique will take longer and will cost more.

More aesthetically pleasing

You can choose a caulk that matches the color of your floor and baseboard. It will make your house look more aesthetically pleasing.

Another layer of protection

Caulking gives your floor and house an extra layer of protection from insects, pests, and moisture damage.

Better heat regulation

If you have a heating system installed in your house then caulking the baseboard and the floor will give you better heating control.

Ensures longevity of the structure

It prevents the corners of the baseboards and floorboards from getting peeled off. This ensures a really simple and cheap solution to a serious problem.

Energy saver

As caulking makes houses airtight, it saves energy while heating your house by not letting any heat out and get wasted. So, this saves you a lot of energy costs over a long period of time.

Increases the value of a structure

Caulking ensures no unwanted water, insects, microorganisms get in and no heat goes out. It increases the value of a structure and attracts more buyers.

When you can’t use caulking?

Although caulking has so many benefits it is not always and everywhere applicable. Here are the times when you should not use caulking.

  • When there is carpeting on the floor. Don’t use caulk on the carpet. 
  • If there is no gap between the trim and floor, there is no need for caulking. 
  • And if the house is new, you don’t want to use caulk because the gap may close on its own.  

If you don’t fall into these criteria not just you can but you should use caulking to fill those gaps in your house.

How to caulk between Baseboard and Floorboards?

The steps are very simple and straightforward. Let’s go through them,

Step 1: Choosing the right caulk

The first step is to find the right caulk for your purpose. Not every caulk is for every gap to be sealed. You should consider the following while choosing the right caulk for you.

  • A waterproof caulk for the bathroom or kitchen. Silicone caulk is good for that purpose.
  • For the living area, waterproofing is not necessary. A decorator’s caulk which is basically latex or acrylic caulk will work fine.
  • Choose a caulk that is durable, paintable, and flexible.
  • You won’t need a lot of caulks. One tube is enough for an entire bathroom in most cases.
  • Don’t mix different types of caulks.
  • Choose a color that matches your floor color.

Step 2: Prepare the surface

Then you have to prepare the surface before applying the caulk. Applying caulk on an unprepared surface is a waste. For that,

  • Clean the area where you’ll apply the caulk.
  • If the surface is not clean enough, the caulk will attach to the dust, not to the floor.
  • Tape the floor and baseboard around the gap that will be caulked.
  • Use blue painters’ tape for this purpose. The tape makes the cleaning a lot easier. 
  • Keep a household cleaner and several rugs ready.

Step 3: Apply the caulk

The most important step! After you’ve chosen the right caulk and prepared the surface, you are now ready to seal the gap between the baseboard and tile with the caulk.

  • Firstly, cut the tube as instructed on the packaging.
  • Load the tube on the caulking gun.
  • Before actually applying it, practice it on some paper or something.
  • Slowly and steadily apply it along the gap.
  • You can caulk the bottom of the baseboard as well as the top of the baseboard if necessary.
  • Now smooth the caulk with your finger.

Step 4: Finish up

You are almost done. Now,

  • You should remove the tape before the caulk dries. It results in a much smoother finish.
  • Remove any excess caulk anywhere you find it.
  • Protect it while it’s drying.

Step 5: Paint the caulk

An unpainted caulked surface is not that attractive. So, you can paint it to match it with your baseboard and floor color.

  • Apply the paint after the caulk has dried.
  • You can use tape again if you want to save your floor from paint splatters.

If you’ve finished these five steps, you’ve successfully filled the gap between the baseboard and floorboard of your house.

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FAQs

Still have some questions? Go through the section below.

Should I caulk between floor and trim?

Yes, you should. It is the easiest way to protect your floor and keep unwanted microorganisms away. You shouldn’t apply caulk if you have carpet on your floor. But if not and the surface is non-porous then certainly go with caulking.

Should I caulk my baseboards?

You should caulk your baseboards for multiple reasons such as moisture damage or pest and mold invasion. As caulks are generally waterproof, it will protect your floor and improve the heating and cooling system of your house.

Do you caulk the bottom of baseboards in the bathroom?

Yes, you can do that. But use waterproof caulk for bathroom baseboards if you want to caulk their bottoms. Silicone caulks are perfect for the job. It will surely improve the overall aesthetic and it will keep moisture from dissipating from the bathroom to other rooms.

How to fill the gap between baseboard and floor?

Try caulking. It is the easiest solution to the problem. Caulk is a watertight sealant that is used to fill up gaps around doors, windows, joints. Caulk is usually made from silicone or polyurethane and sold in cartridges that look like big toothpaste tubes. Read above for details.

Conclusion

The discussion above should answer the question, can you caulk between baseboard and floorboard, very well. Caulk is an amazing substance that solves a quite puzzling problem very easily. And caulking is considered an easy job compared to other techniques. But you have to do it right to get the best result.

There are a lot of caulks available out there. Choose the right one for you. Follow the steps that are mentioned above carefully. Find the right color caulk. Or else, paint it to match your floor and baseboard. Use waterproof caulk where necessary and use colorful latex caulk for living areas.

Although it’s not poisonous, use it carefully. Remember you need to measure the gap first to decide if you can go with caulking. And you will have the best experience with caulks.

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